San Diego, CA (Oct 28-30, 2016)
Who could resist San Diego. The weather is always in the 70’s and such beautiful skies. We stayed in Oakzanita Springs RV Park. This park was about 45 minutes away from San Diego so we did have to take into consideration the drive. The park, however, was very hilly. It was hard to walk every morning because wake up temperatures were in the 40’s. Brrr. Plus after we completed on 1.5 mile walk up and down the hills, we knew we could not do that again – especially since we were are 4,ooo ft altitude. So we spent the weekend in San Diego which was a pleasure. We had dinner on Friday night the 28th in Little Italy in San Diego with some friends, Ed and Karen Calabrese. They have been Lorraine’s friends for over 20 years. We had a nice dinner and enjoyed their company. Next time, we will stay closer so we can spend more time with these great people.
On Saturday we went to La Jolla to see the seals and the sights. We started at the Torrey Pines Glideport. It is amazing that this Gliderport has been around 1928. To watch these brave souls run and jump in the air and then glide all over is amazing. And no we didn’t attempt it – nor were we asked. We probably would have sunk really fast. As you can see, they are very restrictive on who enters the area -this is for our own safety of course.
From the Gliderport is the Torrey Pines golf course – very easily seen just by turning around.
On the left side of the Glideport are two trails down to the beach. This is one of most used one with all the steps which makes it easier to walk but still a hike up those hills.
From there we headed down to the Children’s Pool at La Jolla.
“Children’s Pool Beach, also known as Casa Beach, is a small sandy beach area located at 850 Coast Boulevard, at the end of Jenner Street, in La Jolla, California. It is not a pool, but has long been called “Children’s Pool.” A concrete sea wall built in 1931 protects the beach from crashing waves, making it a favorite spot for divers, swimmers and families with children. Before the “wave wall” was built, there was a shallow water area between a large rock and a mainland bluff called “Seal Rock Point.” The sea wall was built on top of several rocks, across the channel. It is topped by a paved walkway protected by railings.”
Walking this path provides you some up and close experience and views of the sea lions. You can go snorkeling with them -but you will need to wear your scuba suits because the water is very cold. We saw on person snorkeling in the sea with lion swimming behind him.
From there we sent the Tide Tables. It was nice to see this. All those holes that get filled with water. You get to see this when the tide is low and that was great.
Headed to the Cabrillo National Monument to see the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. https://www.nps.gov/cabr/index.htm We found that “climbing out of his boat and onto shore in 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo stepped into history as the first European to set foot on what is now the West Coast of the United States.” Heard about Columbus but not Cabrillo. What an interesting story. 
The Old Point Loma Lighthouse is not functioning but the lighthouse was nice to see because of its history. https://www.nps.gov/cabr/learn/historyculture/the-lighthouses-of-point-loma.htm.
“The Old Point Loma Lighthouse stood watch over the entrance to San Diego Bay for 36 years. At dusk on November 15, 1855, the light keeper climbed the winding stairs and lit the light for the first time. What seemed to be a good location 422 feet above sea level, however, had a serious flaw. Fog and low clouds often obscured the light. On March 23, 1891, the light was extinguished and the keeper moved to a new lighthouse location closer to the water at the tip of the Point.
Today, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse still stands watch over San Diego, sentinel to a vanished past. The National Park Service has refurbished the interior to its historic 1880s appearance – a reminder of a bygone era. Ranger-led talks, displays, and brochures are available to explain the lighthouse’s interesting past.”
Above is the New Point Loma Lighthouse which is run by the Coast Guard. We were not able to enter the grounds to see this lighthouse so the above picture was taken outside.
Outside of the gate of the Cabrillo Monument Park is the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. This reminded us Arlington Cemetery and it was a little overwhelming to see all of these grave markers. The cemetery is full and not future burials can be done there unless it is a spouse of someone already interred there. 
